Archive for November, 2011

I memorized most of these verses when I was in high school, after discovering their meaning at a seminar on self-esteem. They have changed my view of myself, of God and of everyone I’ve ever met. God has the final word on our intrinsic worth and He has assigned great value to us. Print a few off and put them on your mirror!

God chose me for His special and unique purpose.

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit— fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Heb 3:13

An accountability partnership is a group of two or more people who commit to support and encourage one another in the process of overcoming their shortcomings. It has proven to be an effective tool in both secular and Christian circles. They reveal their weaknesses, temptations, sins and subsequent progress to one another on a regular basis.

What is it like to be in an accountability relationship? Is it embarrassing? Is it like the first time we had to change into gym clothes in the locker room? Is it like when our little brother found our diary and read it to his friends?

Accountability isn’t like any of those things.

Accountability is more like cleaning out the closet and then putting all the junk on the curb. Yes, some people may see the ridiculous things that we allowed in our house. But at least they know we don’t plan to keep that trash around any longer! What a relief!

“I don’t personally know anyone who has been in an accountability group. How do you do it?”

Let’s look at some options, use some creativity, and find a style that works. There is no one style that works for everyone. We will explore 7 different formats, along with their strengths and weaknesses.

Those of us who choose to pursue healing for homosexuality build a foundation on truths like these:

We did not choose to feel this way. Homosexual desires came to us unbidden and unwelcome. We believe that homosexuality is a complex condition that begins developing at a very early age. Therefore, men and women with homosexual feelings should never be treated with contempt or ostracized because of their homosexuality. We DO, however, choose how we will behave.
It doesn’t always feel like we have much of a choice. No one determines our behavior but ourselves.

People aren’t born gay. There are some personality traits that are more typical to those who discover that they are attracted to the same sex. But those traits were given to us by God, and originally intended to be a blessing. Inborn characteristics and interests can interact with a person’s experiences, perceptions and relationships. This is the crucible where homosexual tendencies often form.

It’s Blessings, Its Pitfalls, and
How it Can Protect Us from Manipulators

Ro 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

“Let what happens to other people matter to you.”

People who are coming out of homosexuality need healthy, vital interpersonal connectedness in order to live a life that feels gratifying. That connectedness is impossible without empathy. Conversely, many people with homosexual tendencies are tempted to become too empathetic, and thus lose themselves in another person. In this article, we will how to make the best use of empathy, without having it used against us. Continue reading ‘EMPATHY’ »

There is a kind of touch that is good for us. How do we get more of the good kind and keep ourselves safe from the dangerous kind?

This subject is such a powder keg. If we are too touchy, then we risk being offensive or we risk the opposite extreme of being enticing. We might find ourselves stirring up unmanageable feelings within ourselves or others. But we allow ourselves to be too touch-starved, then we create a dam of loneliness and isolation that can collapse our resolve to stay pure.

God gave us the powerful desire to connect with someone emotionally and physically. It’s easy to feel like He is unfairly depriving us when He tells us to wait. Why would He give us such strong feelings about these things and then not provide an outlet? Will I ever feel okay? It’s taking too long!

Welcome to my Blog!

Hello, name is Anita.

I come from a background of gender identity issues and same-sex attractions, but God is teaching me how to walk in purity and joy. My desire is to encourage others who want to glorify God in their interpersonal relationships. I hope you find these articles helpful.

I call my site Freshwater, after the verse, "The LORD will guide you continually; and satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.." Isa 58:11